WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) voted in favor of House Resolution 719.
"Political violence has no place in our democracy. That’s why I voted for House Resolution 719 — because I will never waver in condemning hatred, extremism, and violence in all forms.
"Let me be absolutely clear: Charlie Kirk was a deeply troubling figure. His racist, xenophobic, homophobic, and misogynistic rhetoric ran directly counter to the values of equality and justice I fight for every day. My vote was not an endorsement of him or his views. My vote was a stand for principle: in a democracy, disagreements must be settled through debate and at the ballot box, never with threats, fear, or bullets.
"There has also been some misrepresentation. The House resolution I voted on did not establish a “Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance.” That language only appeared in the Senate version. The House resolution was largely about condemning political violence — and I voted yes because violence has no place in our democracy.
"This resolution was also intentionally drafted by Republicans to put Democrats in a political bind. I reject their false claims that Kirk “worked tirelessly to promote unity” or engaged in “respectful, civil discourse.” He did not. And I regret that this resolution said nothing about the urgent need for gun safety laws.
"I also wish my colleagues had shown the same urgency in condemning the horrific killing of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman earlier this year. The silence in that moment was deafening. If we are serious about rejecting political violence, we cannot pick and choose which victims deserve our outrage. Our values must be consistent. Violence is unacceptable, no matter who the target is or what party they belong to.
"As the youngest congresswoman in the country, representing Phoenix, Glendale, and Guadalupe, I’ve shown again and again that I will confront fascism and extremism head-on — from exposing the Trump administration’s cover-up of the Epstein files on the House Oversight Committee, to leading more than half the Democratic caucus in defending Jimmy Kimmel against Trump’s authoritarian attack on free speech, to demanding accountability at ICE detention centers where immigrants are suffering and dying.
"Standing together against violence is essential to protecting our democracy and the values we share. That is the standard I hold myself to every single day in Congress."
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